Dispensing device



Feb. 17, 197@ WEBSTER 7 3,495,744

DISPENSING DEVICE 3' Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9, 1968 Filed May 9, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 17, 1970 M; E. WEBSTER DISPENSING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 9. 1968 United States Patent 3,495,744 DISPENSING DEVICE Milo E. Webster, Braintree, Mass., assignor to The Gillette Company, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 690,157, Dec. 13, 1967. This application May 9, 1968, Ser.

Int. or. new 83/00 US. Cl. ZZZ-402.24 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pressurized dispensing package includes an auxiliary compartment the bottom wall of which is resilient and has a depending skirt which surrounds in sealing relation a valve stem. The skirt flexes outwardly under pressure to permit through valve filling of the package.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Ser. No. 690,157, filed Dec. 13, 1967 and entitled Pressurized Spray Device.

Summary of invention This invention relates to pressurized dispensing packages and to valve assemblies for dispensing material in proportion of material or materials, and an object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved valve construction particularly adapted for use with pressurized dispensing packages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved pressurized container which dispenses an accurately proportioned amount of material on each actuation of the containers dispensing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved metering valve assembly which is economical to manufacture and dependable in operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved valve assembly for use in pressurized dispensing packages which permits pressure filling of the package in simple manner through the valve assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved pressurized dispensing package for dispensing a small amount of material, which can be pressure filled through the valve assembly, and which is suitable for manufacture in large volume.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a valve assembly for controlling the dispensing of material in predetermined proportions from a pressurized container. The valve assembly is mounted in an outlet opening of the main material containing chamber and includes structure which defines a second chamber. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem component that has a discharge nozzle structure. Cooperating with a portion of the valve stem below the discharge nozzle struture and forming one wall of the second chamber is a resilient member that includes a depending skirt which encircles the valve stem along a substantial axial length. The inner surface of the skirt includes sealing surfaces which engage the stern in sealing relation. Also formed on the stem are material flow path portions which cooperate with the sealing surfaces of the skirt to block material flow between the chambers and discharge nozzle structure in one position of the valve stem and to permit material flow between the chambers and the discharge nozzle structure in another position of the valve stem.

In particular embodiments the resilient wall-skirt structure is a molded rubber grommet which includes a recess in its outer surface into which an inwardly projecting element at the base of the second chamber structure is snapped to provide a seal and grommet support at that point. The depending skirt portion of the grommet defines an elongated passage through which the valve stem slides. Formed in the inner surface of the encircling skirt is an annular recess which in cooperation with the valve stem defines a portion of a material flow path. This grommet can be molded easily and assembled to the chamber structure with mechanical equipment compatible with high volume production techniques.

In particular embodiments a spring seat structure is disposed in the second chamber above the resilient wall structure on which is disposed a spring which acts on a flange of the valve stem to bias the valve stem to closed position. The valve stem is tubular and includes a transverse wall which separates the valve stem into upper and lower portions. A port extends through the wall of the stem above the transverse wall for communication with the discharge nozzle structure and a second port extends through the stem wall below the transverse wall for communication with a dip tube. Stop structures, molded integrally with the valve stem, cooperate with the spring seat to provide a positive limit on the amount of travel of the valve stem.

In certain embodiments of the invention the flow path portions of the stem include a bifurcated flow channel which overlaps a cooperating port so that a circumferen tial portion of the encircling skirt rather than an axial length thereof provides a sealing surface. In these valve constructions, positive sealing is assisted by the pressure differential across the resilient member, that is atmospheric pressure on one side and container pressure on its other side.

In dispensing packages in accordance with the invention, a metered discharge may be achieved either on the initial operation (downstroke in the preferred embodiments) of the valve or on release of the valve. In addition, where two or more components are stored in the package a valve structure constructed in accordance with the invention may allow metered discharge of one of the components.

A particular feature of the invention is the ability to pressure fill the dispenser through the valve assembly rather than using cold filling or under the cap filling techniques. The valve construction enables a pressure source to be disposed over the stem, either in actuated or unactuated position. Pressurized material is applied to the container through the stem from an external source causes the resilient wall-encircling skirt component of the valve assembly to flex sufliciently a provide a flow path between the skirt and the stern into the container.

Other objects, features and advantages of the inven tion will be seen as the following description of particular embodiments thereof progresses, in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a dispensing device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the grommet and a portion of the valve stem employed in the construction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the valve structure shown in FIG. 5 in a second position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing still another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevational views of portions of the valve stem employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are elevational views of portions of the valve stem employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a modification of the valve assembly shown in FIGS. 10l3.

Description of the particular embodiment Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the dispensing device includes an outer container 10 (only part of which is shown) which has an outlet opening 12 at its upper end. Secured adjacent opening 12 is a generally cylindrical chamber member 14 that has an outwardly projecting rib 16 under which a portion of the container wall 10 is crimped to secure the chamber member 14 against sealing washer 18. An inwardly extending flange 41, formed at the base of chamber member 14 receives a base grommet 40 (of buna N synthetic rubber). That grommet has spaced shoulders 42, 43 which define a recess into which flange 41 fits so that the grommet is secured in sealing relation to the chamber wall member 14. The grommet 40 has a central passage in which are provided two spaced sealing surfaces 44, 46 that are separated by an annular recess 49.

An axially movable valve stem 28 (of 0.153 inch outer diameter) extends through the coaxially aligned apertures in sealing washer 18 and grommet 40. This valve stem has a tubular upper portion and a tubular lower portion which are separated by a transverse wall composed of segments 50, 52 and 54. Vertical walls 56, S8 and 60 connect transverse wall segments 50, 52 and 54 and divide the interior of the central portion of the stem 28 into three separate 120 sectors. Port 62 (0.0145 inch in diameter) is provided through the stem wall immediately above transverse wall sector 50, port 64 (0.020 inch in diameter), is provided through the stem wall immediately below transverse wall portion sector 54 and port 66 (also 0.020 inch in diameter) is provided through the stem wall immediately above transverse wall sector 52. An additional port 68 (0.020 inch in diameter) extends through the stem wall above and in axial alignment with orifice 62. On the outer surface of stem 28 above these ports are formed a series of stop structures 32 and a flange 30. In the bottom of the chamber structure 14, seated on flange 41, is a spring seat and stop structure 38 which receives the lower end of spring 34. The upper end of spring 34 acts against flange and urges the stem 28 upwardly.

A dip tube 90, connected to the bottom of stem 28, extends to the bottom of the container 10. Disposed on the upper end of stem 28 is a discharge button 94 which has a spray orifice 96.

In the normal position of the valve assembly, spring 34 biases the upper surface of flange 30 into engagement with sealing washer 18. In this position, the metering chamber 98 (which has a volume of about one cubic centimeter and is defined by washer 18, wall 14 and grommet 40) is connected to atmosphere through port 68. The lower port 62 connects the recess 49 in the grommet 40 to atmosphere through the upper portion of the valve stem but that orifice is sealed from the main container by the sealing surface 46. Ports 64 and 66 are in engagement with sealing surface 44.

With cap 94 removed, pressure filling apparatus can be disposed on top of the valve assembly container and material introduced into the container 10, either with the valve in released position shown in FIG. 1 or in actuated position. Pressurized material applied through passage 74, flows through ports 62 and 68. The material under pressure applied through orifice 62 causes the lower portion of the grommet 40 to flex outwardly so to open a relatively large flow to the interior of the container. In addition, material flows into the metering chamber 98 and down past the spring seat 38 and acts on the upper surface of the grommet (adjacent sealing surface 44) to force that sealing surface outwardly to provide a supplemental container charging flow passage. When the pressure in the container equals the pressure from the source (reduced by pressure drops due to flow through the valve assembly), a typical container pressure being 70 psi, the resilience of the grommet causes it to reseat against the surface of valve stem 28 and provide a seal at that point. When the propellent source is removed, it will be noted that container pressure is applied across the grommet in a manner to force the sealing surfaces into firm sealing engagement of the valve stem, the pressure on the outer surface of the grommet being container pressure and on the inner sur face of the grommet being substantially atmospheric pressure.

In operation, when the stem 28 is in the closed posi tion as shown in FIG. 1, the lower sealing surface 46 of grommet 40 prevents propellent from entering the valve stem 28 through orifice 62. The material to be sprayed is maintained under container pressure in the lower portion of the valve stem and up to port 64 (via dip tube but that port is sealed by the overlying sealing surface 44 of the grommet 40. When the valve stem is man ually depressed to its open position, (as shown in FIG. 2) port 62 is moved below the sealing surface 46 of grommet 40 and allows the passage of propellent through the upper portion of the stem. Propellent flows both out to the discharge nozzle and also through port 68 to charge the metering chamber 98. At the same time, ports 64 and 66 are aligned with annular recess 49 so that a flow path for the pressurized material from the dip tube 90 is provided through port 64, annular recess 49 and port 66 to the upper portion of the valve stem for mixing with the propellent and discharge through the spray orifice 96. When the stem is released, spring 34 returns the stem to the position shown in FIG. 1, terminating the flow of material from the main container as the ports 64 and 66 are sealed by surface 44. Also, flow of propellent from the upper portion of the container is terminated as sealed by surface 46. The propellent stored in the metering compartment 98 is then automatically discharged through port 68 in the upper portion of stem 28 through nozzle orifice 96 to purge that orifice with a metered amount of propellent.

The embodiments of FIGS. 5-14 are similar to that of FIGS. 1-4 and accordingly similar components are identified with the same reference numerals followed by a lower case letter.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, that dispensing device includes a pressurized container 10a which has an upper wall 20a against which is disposed a sealing washer 1811. A metering chamber member 1411 is secured in container 14a with its upper wall held against washer 18a. The flange portion 16a cooperates with the indented portion of the upper wall of container 10a to secure the chamber wall 14a against washer 1841. A grommet 40a is secured on flange 41a to seal the lower end of the metering chamber 98a.

Valve stem 28a has a flange 30a, the rib 31a of which is urged upwardly into sealing relation with washer 18a by spring 34a which acts between spring seat 38a and the lower surface of flange 30a. Also formed on stem 28a below flange 30a are a set of four axially extending stop members 32a which engage the upstanding portion 350 of spring seat 38a to limit the permitted axial travel of valve stem 28a.

Mounted on the upper end of valve stem 28a is a nozzle cap 94a which has a discharge orifice 96a therein. The lower portion of the valve stem (below grommet 40a) has secured to it a dip tube 90a which extends to the bottom of the container 10a. A transverse wall member 50a separates the upper and lower portions of the valve stem 28a.

Immediately below the transverse wall 50a is an orifice or port 64a (0.020 inch in diameter) and immediately above transverse wall 50a is an identical orifice or port 66a. A material flow channel 100, 0.020 inch in width, 0.020 inch in depth, and 0.200 inch in length, is provided in the outer surface of valve stem 28a, the bottom of the channel being aligned with orifice 64a.

Grommet 4012 has a depending skirt portion of 0.153 inch diameter in which is formed an annular recess 49a between two sealing surfaces 44a and 46a. This recess 49a defines, with the valve stem 28a, a toroidal space 0.010 inch wide and 0.040 inch long with tapered ends. Sealing surface 46a is 0.030 inch long.

In operation, when the dispensing package is pressurized and in the closed position shown in FIG. 5, metering chamber 98a is in communication with the atmosphere through nozzle orifice 96a and stem orifice 66a; and the lower end of channel 100 and orifice 6411 are sealed by contact with sealing surface 44a. The material in the container to be dispensed is forced by the propellent pressure through the dip tube to orifice 64a. When stem 28a is depressed, orifice 66a is first closed by engagement with sealing surface 44a and then a flow passage from the dip tube 90a and orifice 64a is completed to channel 100 by the annular recess 49a. The material flows along this passage and through channel 100 to charge the metering chamber 98a. When stern 28a is released, spring 34a returns it to the position shown in FIG. 5. During this travel, orifice 64a and the lower end of channel 100 are first closed and then orifice 66a is opened and the contents of the metering chamber are discharged through the spray orifice 96a. Thus a metered dose of material is dispensed.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7. The principal difference between this metering valve assembly and that shown in FIG. is the arrange ment of ports and passages on the valve stem 28a. Therefore, the identical components are given the same reference numerals in FIG. 5. Extending through the wall of stem 28a below transverse wall 50a is an orifice 64b and a similar orifice 66b is disposed immediately above transverse wall 50a. A bifurcated flow channel 102 has two spaced branches 104, 106 disposed on opposite sidesof orifice 64b. A similar channel having an upper portion 108 and branches 110, 112 is disposed on the surface of the stem in similar relation to orifice 66b. The flow channel of each branch is .0020 inch in depth and 0.015 inch in width.

In the position shown in FIG. 7, metering chamber 98a is connected to dip tube 90a through the lower portion of stem 28a, port 64b, annular chamber 49a, the two parallel branches 104 and 106, and common branch 102. In this position, metering chamber 98a is charged with material to be dispensed. Port 66b is closed as sealing surface 44a overlies that port and also the surfaces of the stem 280 between port 66b and branch passages 110 and 112. When button 94a is depressed, grommet surface 46a closes port 64b and port 66b then moves into alignment with annular recess 49a. In that position, the metering chamber 98a is in communication with the discharge passageway through the upper portion of valve stem 28a through common passage 108, parallel passages 110, 112, annular recess 49a and port 66b so that the pressurized dose is dispensed. On release of button 94a, spring 34a returns the valve stem 28a to its upper or rest position, in which position the metering chamber 98a is recharged. Thus, in this embodiment, the metering chamber is continuously maintained in charged condition as it is in direct communication with the contents of the main container so that a predetermined amount of material is dispensed in each valve operation. Dispensing occurs on initial actuation (depression) of the valve assembly and such operation frequently has advantages from the standpoint of consumer use.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-13, that spraying assembly includes a pressurized container 14b which has an upper wall 20b against which is disposed a sealing washer 18b. A valve housing 12b is secured in container 14b with its upper wall against washer 18b by a flange portion 16b over which a portion of the upper wall of the container 14b is indented in securing relation. A spring seat 38b is disposed on the base flange 41b of housing 12b and an axially movable valve stem 26!; is disposed coaxially of spring seat 38b and housing 12b. A grommet 40b is secured on flange 41b of housing 12b to seal the lower end thereof.

Stem 26b has a flange 30b having a rib 31 that is urged upwardly into sealing relation with washer 18b by spring 34b which acts between spring seat 38b and the lower surface of flange 30b. Also formed on stem 26b below flange 30b are a set of four axially extending stop members 33 which engage the upstanding hub portion 35 of spring seat 38b to limit the permitted axial travel of valve stem 26b.

The upper portion of valve stem 26b has an axially extending discharge passage 74b which communicates with a suitable valve cap 94b having a discharge orifice 96b therein; and the lower portion of the valve stem (below grommet 40b) defines a material entry passage 72b which communicates through dip tube b with the material in the bottom of the container 14b. A barrier separates the two passages 72b and 72b of the valve stem.

The valve stem includes an axially extending slot 152 (indicated in FIG. 12), 0.250 inch in length, 0.010 inch wide, and 0.0165 inch deep. Opposite slot 152 is a supply orifice 154 that extends through the wall of supply pas sage 72b and a discharge orifice 156 that extends through the wall of discharge passage 74b. Each orifice 154, 156 is 0.020 inch in diameter. A material flow channel 158 of inverted U configuration as best indicated in FIG. 12 has a horizontal section 160, 0.040 inch wide, 0.030 inch deep and 0.065 inch long. Connected at either end of passageway 160 are vertical passages 162, 164, each of which 0.110 inch long and of generally triangular configuration 0.030 inch wide and 0.030 inch deep as best indicated in FIG. 11.

Grommet 40b has an annular chamber 166 formed at its upper end and an annular chamber 168 of toroidal configuration define a space 0.010 inch wide and 0.040 inch long with tapered ends adjacent its lower end as best indicated in FIG. 10. Below chamber 168 is a lip 170, 0.030 inch long.

In operation, when the valve assembly is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 10, slot 152 is sealed from propellent from the upper portion of the container by grommet lip 170. The material in the container to be dispensed is applied through dip tube 90b and supply passage 72b to port orifice 154 where it is blocked by the wall portion 172 of grommet 40b. The auxiliary chamber 98b is in communication with the discharge passage 74b through the clearance passage between spring seat 38b and the stem to annular recess 166 and through port orifice 156.

When stem 26b is depressed, the lower end of slot 152 moves past lip 170 and communicate-s with propellent in the upper end of the container. As soon as the lower end of slot 152 is exposed, the propellent flows through slot 152 into chamber or recess 166 through passage 174 to charge the auxiliary chamber 98b. It will be noted that the dimensions of horizontal passage 160 and the upper end of grommet sealing wall 172 are proportioned relative to the length of grommet lip 170' so that port 156 is sealed from recess 166 as the slot 152- is opened to the propellent. On further movement downward of stem 26b supply orifice 154 and vertical passages: 162 and 164 become exposed to annular chamber 168. At this time a flow passage for material from passage 72b is completed through orifice 154, annular recess 168, vertical passages 162 and 164, horizontal passage 160, and orifice 156 to discharge passage 74b. At the same time propellent is passed from the upper portion of the container through slot 152 to annular chamber 168 and through the same passage as above to the discharge passageway in a vapor tap operation. Thus material and propellent in appropriate mixture as determined by the dimensions of the orifices 154, 156 and slot 152 is dispensed from the container. The position for dispensing is established by the stop provided by the ribs 33 contacting hub 35 of spring seat 38b.

When the stem 26b is released, spring 34]) returns it to its closed posiltion (as shown in FIG. 10) and flow of material and propellent through passages 162, 164 and through port 154 is terminated. After port 154 is closed a discharge path for the auxiliary chamber 98b is provided by the upper wall of passage 160 as it rises above the sealing portion 172 of the grommet and in this position the propellent that has been stored in the auxiliary chamber can flow through channel 174 and chamber 166 to port 156 for discharge through passageway 74b and the orifice of the nozzle to purge that orifice and remove any accumulated material from that nozzle orifice in a cleaning operation.

It will be seen that if the annular passage 168 is interrupted and a sealing wall provided at the location of slot 152, that slot would function as a passage for charging the auxiliary chamber 98b with propellent but would eliminate the vapor tap feature of the embodiment shown in FIGS. lO-l3. In another modification, as indicated in FIG. 14, a barrier 180 could be provided in slot 152 which barrier would be bypassed for charging chamber 9811 when projection 180 was aligned with annular chamber 168 but would close off slot 152' when the valve stem was fully depressed as the barrier would be aligned with grommet lip 17 in sealing relation.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. -14, pressurized filling is easily accomplished when the valve cap 94a or 94b is removed. A pressure fitting is placed over the top of the valve stem, either in rest position or in actuated position, and the material under pressure is admitted to the upper end of the valve assembly and flows down along the components, where its pressure causes the grommet 40a or 40b to expand and provide flow passages along the lower portion of the valve stem into the main container in an efficient and expeditious manner.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and therefore it is not intended that the invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment or to details thereof and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressurized dispensing package comprising a container for storing a material to be dispensed and a pressurized material propellant, said container having an opening in one wall thereof,

a valve housing having a tubular body portion secured in the opening of said container, said valve housing defining a chamber that has a volume equal to a small fraction of the effective storage volume of said container, said chamber being sealed from said container in one position of said valve stem and being in communication with said container in a second position of said valve stem,

a valve stem mounted for movement in said valve housing to permit material flow from said container to a discharge passage, a resilient member that includes a depending skirt portion secured to said valve housing and forming one wall thereof, said skirt portion encircling said valve stem and extending along a sub stantial axial length of said valve stem in sealing relation,

said skirt portion having sealing surface portions in its inner surface, and

said stem having flow path portions cooperating with said sealing surface portions on said skirt portion to permit material in said container to flow through said discharge passage in a selected position of said valve stem, and to prevent the flow of material in said container through said discharge passage in another position of said valve stem, and a passage for permitting fiow of propellant to said discharge passage in a selected position of said valve stem, and a dip tube secured to said valve stem.

2. For use in a pressurized dispensing device having a container for storing material to be dispensed and propellant, a valve assembly including structure defining a first flow path communicating between the material in said container and a discharge orifice outside said container,

said structure including a movable valve stem and a seal member cooperating with said valve stem for blocking said first flow path in one position of said valve stem, said seal member including a resilient member that defines a wall of an auxiliary compartment in said container and includes a depending skirt portion that encircles said valve stem and extends a substantial axial length along said valve stem in sealing relation, said skirt portion having sealing surface portions in its inner surface and said valve stem having flow path portions cooperating with said sealing surface portions to control the flow of material in said container into said compartment and through said discharge passage, said flow path portions including an opening through said stem wall and an axially extending groove on either side of and spaced from said opening so that said valve stem has circumferentially extending sealing surface portions between said opening and said grooves that engage sealing surface portions on said skirt, the skirt of said seal member being sufficiently resilient to flex away from said stern under fluid pressure applied to said valve assembly from a location external of said container to permit propellant to be introduced into the container through said valve assembly.

3. For use in a pressurized dispensing device having a container for storing material to be dispensed and propellant, a valve assembly including structure defining a first flow path communicating between the material in said container and a discharge orifice outside said container,

said structure including a movable valve stem and a seal member cooperating with said valve stem for blocking said first fiow path in one position of said valve stem,

said stem having internal bafliing defining upper and lower passage portions,

said lower portion providing communication through a dip tube between the material to be dispensed and a first opening through the wall of said stem,

said upper portion providing communication between said discharge orifice and a second opening through said stem wall adjacent said first opening but across said bafiiing therefrom,

said seal member including a resilient member that defines a wall of an auxiliary compartment in said container, said compartment being defined by a generally cylindrical member having a rib portion which supports said seal member, said resilient member including a depending skirt portion that encircles said valve stem and extends a substantial axial length along said valve stem in sealing relation, said skirt portion having sealing surface portions in its inner surface and said valve stem having flow path portions cooperating with said sealing surface portions to control the flow of material in said container into said compartment and through said discharge passage,

a first sealing surface contacting said stem between said first and second openings when said stem is in said closed position,

said seal member and said valve stem defining a first flow path between said container and said compartment and a second flow path between said compart ment and said discharge orifice,

said first and second flow paths being in communication with said discharge orifice in at least some position of said valve stem,

the skirt of said seal member being sufiiciently resilient to flex away from said stem under fluid pressure applied to said valve assembly from a location external of said container to permit propellant to be introduced into the container through said valve assembly.

4. For use in a pressurized dispensing device having a container for storing material to be dispensed and propellant, a valve assembly including structure defining a first flow path communicating between the material in said container and a discharge orifice outside said container,

said structure including a movable valve stem including a passage for permitting flow of propellant to said discharge orifice in a selected position of said valve stem, a dip tube secured to said valve stem, and a seal member cooperating with said valve stem for blocking said first flow path in one position of said valve stem, said seal member including a resilient member that defines a wall of an auxiliary compartment in said container, said compartment being in communication with said discharge orifice in one position of said valve stem when said container is sealed from said discharge orifice and being sealed from said discharge orifice in a second position of said valve stem, said resilient member including a depending skirt portion that encircles said valve stem and extends a substantial axial length along said valve stem in sealing relation, said skirt portion having sealing surface portions and a recess in its inner surface that defines a portion of the flow path of material from said container to said discharge orifice, said sealing surface portions being above and below said recess and said valve stem having flow path portions cooperating with said sealing surface portions to control the flow of material in said container into said compartment and through said discharge passage, the skirt of said seal member being sufiiciently resilient to flex away from said stern under fluid pressure applied to said valve assembly from a location external of said container to permit propellant to be introduced into the container through said valve assembly.

5. For use in a pressurized dispensing device having a container for storing material to be dispensed andpropeb lant, a valve assembly including structure defining a flow path communicating between the material in said container and a discharge orifice outside said container,

said structure including a valve housing having an inwardly extending flange portion, a valve stem movable relative to said valve housing and a one piece seal member of resilient material cooperating with said valve stem for blocking said flow path in one position of said valve stem, said seal member including a base portion having a shoulder that defines a recess for receiving said flange portion of said hous ing so that said seal member is supported by said flange portion and a skirt portion depending from said base portion and having a radially unsupported outer surface of frustum configuration and an inner surface of uniform cross-sectional configuration similar to the cross-sectional configuration of said stern, said inner surface encircling said valve stem and extending a substantial axial length along said valve stem in sealing relation, said skirt portion having two spaced sealing surface portions in its inner surface and a recess in said inner surface between said two spaced sealing surface portions, and said valve stem having two flow path portions cooperating with said sealing surfaceportions and said recess, both of said flow path portions in said valve stem being in communication with said recess in a second position of said valve stem to provide a path for the flow of material from said container along said flow path through said discharge passage, the skirt of said seal member being sufiiciently resilient to flex away from said stem under fluid pressure applied to said valve assembly from a location external of said container to permit propellant to be introduced into the container through said valve assembly.

6. The package as claimed in claim 5 wherein said valve stem has internal baffling defining upper and lower passage portions and said flow path portions include passages located on opposite sides of said baffiing for providing communication between said upper and lower passage portions to permit material in said container to flow through said discharge passage.

7. The valve assembly of claim 5 wherein said stem flow path portions include an axially extending groove in one wall thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,696,934 12/1954 Ashton 222-40224 2,746,647 5/1956 Efiord et a1. 222-402.24X 2,991,917 7/1961 Ward 222-402.2 2,839,225 6/1958 SOlTer et a1. 222-40223 X 3,019,947 2/ 1962 German ZZZ-402.2 3,049,271 8/ 1962 Whitmore 222-40224 X 3,096,003 7/ 1963 Nesin 222-40216 3,191,817 6/1965 Furutari 222-402.24X 3,283,962 11/1966 Whitmore ZZZ-402.24 X 3,283,963 11/1966 Boyer et al. ZZZ-402.25 X

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner 

